Virtual access point using single service set identifiers

ABSTRACT

An Access Point (“AP”) apparatus comprising one or more processors containing program code. The program code may be configured to: (i) cause the AP to broadcast a beacon containing a single SSID indentifying the AP; (ii) cause the AP to receive from the STA an query for network information for at least one network operator accessible through the AP; and (iii) cause the AP to send to the STA, for the at least one network operator, a network information description element, in response to the network information query. The AP providing the plural responses broadcasts only a single service set identification (“SSID”).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority benefit of U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/526,071, filed Aug. 22, 2011, the contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wireless communication. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to wireless local areanetwork (“WLAN”), Wi-Fi, and pico-cellular wireless communicationssystems, including IEEE 802.11 systems.

BACKGROUND

Access Point (“AP”) devices compliant with IEEE standard 802.11 (theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference) provide thecapability to “virtualize” access, thus enabling multiple operators touse the same Access Point (“AP”). Each operator is identified by havingthe AP broadcast a Service Set Identification (“SSID”) specific to theoperator in the 802.11 beacon. The user device station (“STA”—a wirelessnetwork client, a desktop computer, laptop, mobile device, cell phone,or PDA) can connect (associate) to a particular operator upon seeing theappropriate SSID. Based on the SSID selected, “treatment” specific tothat operator, e.g., Virtual LAN (“VLAN”), Quality of Service (“QoS”),authentication server address, etc., can be applied. In addition,indications of the capabilities of each operator's network can beindicated after the association.

Alternatively, an AP may have only a single SSID and instead use aquery-response protocol, such as Access Network Query Protocol(“ANQP”)—a query and response protocol used by an STA (such as a mobiledevice) to discover a range of information, including the hotspotoperator's domain name (a globally unique, machine searchable dataelement); roaming partners accessible via the hotspot along with theircredential type and EAP method supported for authentication; InternetProtocol (“IP”) address type availability (for example, IPv4, IPv6); andother metadata useful in a mobile device's network selection process, asspecified in the IEEE standard P802.11u-2011, Amendment 9: Interworkingwith External Networks (“Amendment 9”), the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference. This range of information can beprovided by the AP in response to a query from the STA, prior to the STAassociating to the AP.

When the AP broadcasts a single SSID there is currently no means toindicate to the STA via ANQP the capabilities supported by each operatornetwork prior to association.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the subject disclosure to overcome the disadvantagesnoted above and to provide apparatus and method for providing an STAwith information regarding the capabilities of each operator networkaccessible through the AP identified by a single SSID.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, Access Point(“AP”) apparatus comprises one or more processors containing programcode configured to: cause the AP to broadcast a beacon containing asingle SSID indentifying the AP; cause the AP to receive from an STA anInternet Protocol (IP) Address Type Availability Query for at least onenetwork operator accessible through the AP; and cause the AP to send tothe STA, for the at least one network operator, an IP address typeavailability information element, in response to the IP Address TypeAvailability Query.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a mobile station(“STA”) apparatus comprises one or more processors containing programcode configured to: cause the STA to receive from an Access Point (AP) abeacon containing a single SSID indentifying the AP; cause the STA tosend to the AP an Internet Protocol (IP) Address Type Availability Queryfor at least one network operator accessible through the AP; and causethe STA to receive from the AP, for the at least one network operator,an IP address type availability information element, in response to theIP Address Type Availability Query.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, acomputer-implemented method for indicating network capabilities at anAccess Point (“AP”), is comprised of the following steps: broadcasting abeacon containing a single SSID indentifying the AP; receiving from anSTA an Internet Protocol (IP) Address Type Availability Query for atleast one network operator accessible through the AP; and sending to theSTA, for the at least one network operator, an IP address typeavailability information element, in response to the IP Address TypeAvailability Query.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, acomputer-implemented method for indicating network capabilities at areceiving station (“STA”), is comprised of the following steps:receiving from an Access Point (AP) a beacon containing a single SSIDindentifying the AP; sending to the AP an Internet Protocol (IP) AddressType Availability Query for at least one network operator accessiblethrough the AP; and receiving from the AP, for the at least one networkoperator, an IP address type availability information element, inresponse to the IP Address Type Availability Query.

In certain aspects, the one or more processors may contain program codeconfigured to cause the AP to receive from the STA, for at least onenetwork operator, a Wide Area Network (WAN) Metrics Query; and cause theAP to send to the STA, for the at least one network operator, a WANMetrics Information element, in response to the WAN Metrics Query.

In other aspects, the one or more processors may contain program codeconfigured to: cause the AP to receive from the STA, for at least onenetwork operator, a Connection Capability Query; and cause the AP tosend to the STA, for the at least one network operator, a connectioncapability information element, in response to the Connection CapabilityQuery.

In certain aspects, one or more processors contains program codeconfigured to communicate with the STA using IEEE 802.11 Access NetworkQuery Protocol (“ANQP”). The one or more processors may contain programcode configured to cause the AP to send the single SSID on a IEEE 802.11beacon.

In yet another aspect, one or more processors contains program codeconfigured to cause the STA to associate with the AP, with respect toone of the plural network operators.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood with reference to the following specifications and attacheddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the hardware according to thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows the format of the IP Address Type Availability Queryrequest according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows the format of the WAN Metrics Query request according tothe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows the format of the Connection Capability Query requestaccording to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top-level flow diagram of the query-response protocolcarried out by the AP according to the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a top-level flow diagram of the query-response protocolcarried out by the STA according to the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, well-known functions or constructions are not described indetail because they may obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Thepresent invention relates to an innovative apparatus, system, and/ormethod that may be coupled to, or integrated with, an AP or othercommunication device to enhance Wi-Fi and pico-cellular operation withmultiple clients. For this disclosure, the following terms anddefinitions shall apply:

The terms “IEEE 802.11” and “802.11” refer to a set of standards forimplementing wireless local area network (“WLAN”) computer communicationin the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands and other bands as specifiedby the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee (“IEEE 802”).

The terms “communicate” and “communicating” as used herein include bothconveying data from a source to a destination, and delivering data to acommunications medium, system, channel, network, device, wire, cable,fiber, circuit and/or link to be conveyed to a destination; the term“communication” as used herein means data so conveyed or delivered. Theterm “communications” as used herein includes one or more of acommunications medium, system, channel, network, device, wire, cable,fiber, circuit and/or link.

The term “processor” as used herein means processing devices, apparatus,programs, circuits, components, systems and subsystems, whetherimplemented in hardware, tangibly-embodied software or both, and whetheror not programmable. The term “processor” as used herein includes, butis not limited to, one or more computers, hardwired circuits, signalmodifying devices and systems, devices and machines for controllingsystems, central processing units, programmable devices and systems,field programmable gate arrays, application-specific integratedcircuits, systems on a chip, systems comprised of discrete elementsand/or circuits, state machines, virtual machines, data processors,processing facilities and combinations of any of the foregoing.

The terms “storage” and “data storage” as used herein mean one or moredata storage devices, apparatus, programs, circuits, components,systems, subsystems, locations and storage media serving to retain data,whether on a temporary or permanent basis, and to provide such retaineddata. The terms “storage” and “data storage” as used herein include, butare not limited to, hard disks, solid state drives, flash memory, DRAM,RAM, ROM, tape cartridges and any other medium capable of storingcomputer readable data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the hardware according to the preferredembodiment. Access Point (“AP”) 12 includes typical circuitry such asantenna(s) 14, a transceiver 16, a power module 18, a CPU 20 (e.g., oneor more processors), and a memory 22 (including ROM and RAM). Eachstation STA_1 32 and STA_2 34 includes similar circuitry, not shown inFIG. 1 for clarity. Each memory 22 is loaded with computer program codedesigned to cause the one or more processors to perform certainfunctions as described below. Of course, any type of controller orprocessor may be used in addition to, or as a replacement of, the CPU20. For example, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (“ASICs”),Digital Signal Processors (“DSPs”), gate arrays, analog circuits,dedicated digital and/or analog processors, hard-wired circuits, etc.,may be used to perform the control functions described herein.Instructions for controlling the one or more of such processors may bestored in any desirable memory such as computer-readable media and/ornon-transitory data structure, floppy diskettes, hard drives, CD-ROMs,DVDs, RAMs, Flash RAMs storage, EEPROMs, magnetic media, optical media,magneto-optical media, or network connected storage, etc.

Generally speaking, an STA can query an AP identified by a single SSIDwith a new message about the IP Address Type Availability of eachNetwork Operator. The AP in turn returns a response with the IP AddressType Availability for that Network Operator. An AP broadcasts beaconswhich contain a SSID field indentifying a service set including this AP.An STA can send a query message asking about WAN Metrics or ConnectionCapability for each of the Network accessible through the AP. The APwill then send a response back with the information responsive to theSTA query. More specifically, in FIG. 1, when the AP 12 broadcasts thesingle SSID 50 to STA_1 32, a means is desired to indicate to the STAthe capabilities supported by each operator network, prior toassociation. In operation, an AP periodically broadcasts beaconscontaining various information, the information including a single SSID.An STA can listen to the broadcasts and obtain information from thebroadcasts. An STA can further query for info from an AP. Theinformation added by this invention include the said thee, which are inaddition to the standard ANQP protocol.

Preferably, an AP query protocol is used to provide the requiredinformation to the STA. Three examples of capabilities that can beindicated, on a per-operator basis, in the AP query protocol include:(i) IP Address Type Availability Query 52; (ii) WAN Metrics Query 54;and (iii) Connection Capability Query 56.

IP Address Type Availability Query. The Internet Protocol (“IP”) AddressType Availability Query 52 is preferably used by a requesting STA todetermine the IP address version and type that could be allocated for aspecific network after a successful association of the STA to thatspecific network. In the Wi-Fi context, an STA associates to an AP. TheAP may provide connections to multiple operator networks. An STA maywant to connect to a specific operator network after association with anAP. An STA is not called to be associated with the correspondingoperator network, even though it is true from a generic sense. Thisquery allows for multiple networks reachable through a single SSID tohave different IP address type availability characteristics. Forexample, one network path passes through a network address translation(NAT) router while the other does not pass through a NAT router, bothreachable through the same SSID.

In response to an IP Address Type Availability Query, a responding AP 12returns an IP Address Type Availability Information element as specifiedin section 7.3.4.8 of Amendment 9 (see Tables 1 and 2 below). Thisreturned IP Address Type Availability Information element is specific tothe network specified in the IP Address Type Availability Query.

TABLE 1 IPv6 Address Field Values Address value Meaning 0 Address typenot available 1 Address type available 2 Availability of the addresstype not known 3 Reserved

TABLE 2 IPv4 Address Field Values Address value Meaning 0 Address typenot available 1 Public IPv4 address available 2 Port-restricted IPv4address available 3 Single NATed private IPv4 address available 4 DoubleNATed private IPv4 address available 5 Port-restricted IPv4 address andsingle NATed IPv4 address available 6 Port-restricted IPv4 address anddouble NATed IPv4 address available 7 Availability of the address typeis not known 8-63 Reserved

A network is specified either (i) by using the Network Access Identifier(“NAI”) Realm Name Data (for Extensible Authentication Protocol (“EAP”)authenticated networks) as specified in section 7.3.4.9 of Amendment 9,or (ii) by referring to the index of the network associated with aparticular Authentication Type (for Redirect authenticated networks) asspecified in section 7.3.4.5 of Amendment 9 (see Tables 3 and 4 below).

TABLE 3 Authentication Parameter types Authentication Length InformationID Description (Octets) Reserved 0 Expanded EAP Method 1 Expanded EAPMethod Subfield 7 Non-EAP Inner Authentication Type 2 Enum (0—Reserved,1—PAP, 1 2—CHAP, 3—MSCHAP, 4—MSCHAPV2) Inner Authentication EAP Method 3Value drawn from IANA EAP 1 Type Method Type Numbers Expanded Inner EAPMethod 4 Expanded EAP Method Subfield 7 Credential Type 5 Enum (1—SIM,2—USIM, 3—NFC 1 Secure Element, 4—Hardware Token, 5—Softoken,6—Certificate, 7—username/password, 8—none*, 9—Reserved, 10—VendorSpecific) *none means server-side authentication only Tunneled EAPMethod Credential 6 Enum (1—SIM, 2—USIM, 3—NFC 1 Type Secure Element,4—Hardware Token, 5—Softoken, 6—Certificate, 7—username/password,8—Reserved, 9—Anonymous, 10—Vendor Specific) Reserved  7-220 VendorSpecific 221  Variable Variable Reserved 222-255

TABLE 4 Network Authentication Type Indicator definitions Address valueMeaning 0 Acceptance of terms and conditions 1 On-line enrollmentsupported 2 http/https redirection 3 DNS redirection 4-255 Reserved

The format of the IP Address Type Availability Query request is depictedin FIG. 2. IP Address Type Availability Query string 200 generallycomprises three segments, a 10 octet ANQP Header 202; a single octet IPAddress Type Availability Subtype 204 and a NAI Realm Name Data orAuthentication Type Index 206, which may be variable in length.

WAN Metrics Query. The wide area network (“WAN”) Metrics Query 54 isused by a requesting STA to determine the WAN Metrics for a specificnetwork, after a successful association of the STA to that specificnetwork. This query allows for multiple networks reachable through asingle SSID to have different WAN Metrics characteristics in real-time.For example, the WAN link for one network is down while the WAN link foranother network is up, both reachable through the same SSID.

In response to a WAN Metrics Query, a responding AP returns a WANMetrics Information element, providing information about transmissioncharacteristics, such as the speed of the WAN connection to theInternet. This returned WAN Metrics Information element is specific tothe network specified in the WAN Metrics Query.

The format of the WAN Metrics Query request is depicted in FIG. 3. TheWAN Metrics Query string 300 is generally comprised of three segments: a10 octet ANQP Header 302; a single octet WAN Metrics Subtype 304; and aNAI Realm Name Data or Authentication Type Index 306, which may bevariable in length.

A network is specified either (i) by using the NAI Realm Name Data (forEAP authenticated networks) as specified in section 7.3.4.9 of Amendment9; or (ii) by referring to the index of the network associated with aparticular Authentication Type (for Re-direct authenticated networks) asspecified in section 7.3.4.5 of Amendment 9. (See Tables 3 and 4,above.)

Connection Capability Query. The Connection Capability Query 56 ispreferably used by a requesting STA to determine the ConnectionCapability for a specific network, after a successful association of theSTA to that specific network. This query allows for multiple networksreachable through a single SSID to have different Connection Capabilitycharacteristics. For example, the WAN path for one network may havedifferent firewall filter settings from the WAN path for anothernetwork, however, both are reachable through the same SSID. Suchfirewall setting differentiation could be at the AP end or at the farends of the WAN paths.

In response to a Connection Capability Query, a responding AP returns aConnection Capability Information element, providing information on theconnection status within the hotspot of the most commonly usedcommunications protocols and ports. This returned Connection CapabilityInformation element is specific to the network specified in theConnection Capability Query.

A network is specified either (i) by using the NAI Realm Name Data (forEAP authenticated networks) as specified in section 7.3.4.9 of Amendment9; or (ii) by referring to the index of the network associated with aparticular Authentication Type (for Re-direct authenticated networks) asspecified in section 7.3.4.5 of Amendment 9. (See Tables 3 and 4,above.)

The format of the Connection Capability Query request is depicted inFIG. 4. The Connection Capability Query string 400 is generallycomprised of three segments: a 10 octet ANQP Header 402; a single octetConnection Capability Subtype 404 and a NAI Realm Name Data; orAuthentication Type Index 306, which may be variable in length.

Other such capability queries can be implemented. For instance, otheroperator network characteristics can be queried the same or similar way.While only three network characteristics are described, it would readilyapparent to those skilled in the art to monitor and query other networkcharacteristics using the novel methods disclosed herein.

An STA may initiate a query regarding the bandwidth utilization of theAP. Specifically, the STA may request data pertaining to the currentamount of bandwidth used, amount remaining and the number of connectedusers. An STA may initiate a query regarding the channel/radioavailability of the AP. Such data could include the number of radios ina given AP, the operational frequency band and operational channels.Other AP performance parameters may include, for example, noise floorlevel, interference level and channel occupancy.

FIG. 5 is a top-level flow diagram of the query-response protocolcarried out by the AP according to the preferred embodiment. At the AP,the query-response protocol 500 may send a single service setidentification ANQP response to a receiving station (“STA”) at step 504.As noted above, an AP does not neccesarily send SSID informationdirectly to an STA, instead, the APs can periodically broadcast beaconswith a single SSID value. An STA may then choose to listen to thebeacons to identify information contained within the beacon includingthe SSID. The ANQP message may include information corresponding to oneor more network operators. At step 506, the AP can receive from the STA,for each of the plural network operators, an Internet Protocol (“IP”)Address Type Availability Query. In response to the IP Address TypeAvailability Query, the AP may send to the STA, a response containing anIP address type availability information element at step 508. Inresponse to the ANQP message, the AP may determine whether it hasreceived from the STA, for each of the plural network operators, a widearea (“WAN”) metrics query at step 510. In response to the WAN MetricsQuery, the AP may send to the STA, for each of the plural networkoperators, a WAN metrics information element at step 512. In response tothe ANQP message, the AP may receive from the STA, for each of theplural network operators, a Connection Capability Query at step 514. Inresponse to the Connection Capability Query, the AP may send to the STA,for each of the plural network operators, a connection capabilityinformation element at step 516. If the AP does not receive a query atsteps 506, 508 and/or 510, the protocol may repeat the process byreturning to the start position 502.

FIG. 6 is a top-level flow diagram of the query-response protocolcarried out by the STA according to the preferred embodiment. At theSTA, the query-response protocol 600 may receive a single service setANQP response from an AP at step 604. The ANQP message may includeinformation corresponding to one or more network operators. At step 606,the STA can send to the AP, for each of the plural network operators, anInternet Protocol (“IP”) Address Type Availability Query, in response tothe single SSID. In response to the IP Address Type Availability Query,the STA may receive from the AP, a response containing an IP addresstype availability information element at step 608. In response to thesingle SSID, the STA may determine whether it has sent to the AP, foreach of the plural network operators, a wide area (“WAN”) metrics queryat step 610. In response to the WAN Metrics Query, the STA may receivefrom the AP, for each of the plural network operators, a WAN metricsinformation element at step 612. In response to the single SSID, the STAmay send to the AP, for each of the plural network operators, aConnection Capability Query at step 614. In response to the ConnectionCapability Query, the STA may receive from the AP, for each of theplural network operators, a connection capability information element atstep 616. If the STA does not send a query at steps 606, 608 and/or 610,the protocol may repeat the process by returning to the start position602.

The above-cited publications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety. Although various embodiments have been described withreference to a particular arrangement of parts, features, and the like,these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features,and indeed many other embodiments, modifications, and variations will beascertainable to those with skill in the art. Thus, it is to beunderstood that the invention may therefore be practiced otherwise thanas specifically described above.

1. An Access Point (AP) apparatus, comprising: one or more processorscontaining program code configured to: cause the AP to broadcast abeacon containing a single SSID indentifying the AP; cause the AP toreceive from an STA an Internet Protocol (IP) Address Type AvailabilityQuery for at least one network operator accessible through the AP; andcause the AP to send to the STA, for the at least one network operator,an IP address type availability information element, in response to theIP Address Type Availability Query.
 2. The AP apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the one or more processors contains program codeconfigured to: cause the AP to receive from the STA, for at least onenetwork operator, a Wide Area Network (WAN) Metrics Query; and cause theAP to send to the STA, for the at least one network operator, a WANMetrics Information element, in response to the WAN Metrics Query. 3.The AP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or moreprocessors contain program code configured to: cause the AP to receivefrom the STA, for at least one network operator, a Connection CapabilityQuery; and cause the AP to send to the STA, for the at least one networkoperator, a connection capability information element, in response tothe Connection Capability Query.
 4. The AP apparatus according to claim1, wherein the one or more processors contains program code configuredto communicate with the STA using IEEE 802.11 Access Network QueryProtocol (ANQP).
 5. The AP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theone or more processors contains program code configured to cause the APto send the single SSID in a IEEE 802.11 beacon.
 6. The AP apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors containsprogram code configured to cause the AP to associate with the STA. 7.The AP apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the AP comprises a Wi-FiAP.
 8. A mobile station (STA) apparatus, comprising: one or moreprocessors containing program code configured to: cause the STA toreceive from an Access Point (AP) a beacon containing a single SSIDindentifying the AP; cause the STA to send to the AP an InternetProtocol (IP) Address Type Availability Query for at least one networkoperator accessible through the AP; and cause the STA to receive fromthe AP, for the at least one network operator, an IP address typeavailability information element, in response to the IP Address TypeAvailability Query.
 9. The STA apparatus according to claim 8, whereinthe one or more processors contains program code configured to: causethe STA to send to the AP, for at least one network operator, a WideArea Network (WAN) Metrics Query; and cause STA to receive from the AP,for the at least one network operator, a WAN Metrics Informationelement, in response to the WAN Metrics Query.
 10. The STA apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the one or more processors containsprogram code configured to: cause the STA to send to the AP a ConnectionCapability Query regarding at least one network operator; and cause theSTA to receive from the AP a connection capability information elementregarding the at least one network operator, in response to theConnection Capability Query.
 11. The STA apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the one or more processors contains program code configured tocommunicate with the AP using IEEE 802.11 Access Network Query Protocol(ANQP).
 12. The STA apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the one ormore processors contains program code configured to receive from the APthe single SSID in a IEEE 802.11 beacon.
 13. The STA apparatus accordingto claim 8, wherein the one or more processors contains program codeconfigured to cause the STA to associate with the AP.
 14. A computerimplemented method for indicating network capabilities at an AccessPoint (AP), the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a beaconcontaining a single SSID indentifying the AP; receiving from an STA anInternet Protocol (IP) Address Type Availability Query for at least onenetwork operator accessible through the AP; and sending to the STA, forthe at least one network operator, an IP address type availabilityinformation element, in response to the IP Address Type AvailabilityQuery.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:receiving from the STA, for at least one network operator, a Wide AreaNetwork (WAN) Metrics Query; and sending to the STA, for the at leastone network operator, a WAN Metrics Information element, in response tothe WAN Metrics Query.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprisingthe steps of: receiving from the STA, for at least one network operator,a Connection Capability Query; and sending to the STA, for the at leastone network operator, a connection capability information element, inresponse to the Connection Capability Query.
 17. The method of claim 14,wherein communicating between the AP and the STA is facilitated usingIEEE 802.11 Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP).
 18. Acomputer-implemented method for indicating network capabilities at areceiving station (STA), the method comprising the steps of: receivingfrom an Access Point (AP) a beacon containing a single SSID indentifyingthe AP; sending to the AP an Internet Protocol (IP) Address TypeAvailability Query for at least one network operator accessible throughthe AP; and receiving from the AP, for the at least one networkoperator, an IP address type availability information element, inresponse to the IP Address Type Availability Query.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising the steps of: sending to the AP, for atleast one network operator, a Wide Area Network (WAN) Metrics Query; andreceiving from the AP, for the at least one network operator, a WANMetrics Information element, in response to the WAN Metrics Query. 20.The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: sending to theAP a Connection Capability Query regarding at least one networkoperator; and receiving from the AP a connection capability informationelement regarding the at least one network operator, in response to theConnection Capability Query.
 21. The method of claim 18, whereincommunicating between the AP and the STA is facilitated using IEEE802.11 Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP).